Happening Now

At their September 9, 2025 meeting, City Council gave the green light on the first phase of the design process for this project, which will focus on evaluating engineering alternatives for hazard mitigation grant opportunities for the Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam. In October, the City plans to bring forward a second contract that will cover design services of the entire project area, through 60 percent design.

Next Milestone: Construction

Using a phased approach, public access will be maximized throughout the duration of the project, allowing as many amenities as possible to be open for public use.  

Highlights from Aug. 27, 2025 update

City of Asheville partners with NCDOT to build temporary bridge next to storm-damaged Gashes Creek Bridge

City Council has adopted a resolution to enter into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to build a temporary bridge in close proximity to the former Gashes Creek Bridge, which received catastrophic damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Once the temporary bridge opens, the current two-way traffic design connecting Azalea Road to Swannanoa River Road will be removed, and the pre-Helene one-way traffic pattern will return. A timeline for completion of the temporary bridge will be announced once the details of the agreement between NCDOT and the City are finalized.

As part of the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project, the long term plan is to build a lasting and resilient permanent bridge. A temporary bridge is necessary in the short term to provide acceptable emergency access and response times and to relieve traffic congestion related to activities at the surrounding facilities. 

JBL Complex: Under the City’s current lease agreement with Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), ABYSA is responsible for maintenance and repair of fields at the JBL Complex.  ABYSA will begin work on the JBL soccer fields in early September in preparation to open for use this fall. ABYSA anticipates opening the first field by late September, with remaining fields opening one-at-a-time until completion of the project in November.

See a Message from ABYSA to the community regarding JBL field restoration and programming.
 

Project Background

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to the region. Areas closest to the waterways were hardest hit with flooding, including the area historically dubbed as “Asheville’s Playground” that is home to recreation facilities and important transportation infrastructure along the Swannanoa River and Azalea Road. City-owned assets addressed in this project include but are not limited to:

• Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam

• Recreation Park (including public swimming pool and bathhouse)

• Outdoor Recreation Facility (formerly Mama T’s)

• John B. Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex Building 

• Azalea Road East

• Azalea Dog Park

Project Area Map

Funding and Overall Recovery Strategy

The City of Asheville is sequencing recovery projects strategically to ensure an efficient and effective rebuilding process.

Cost recovery through federal disaster relief funding programs is essential in making this project possible. The City of Asheville seeks to accomplish this primarily through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, with significant supplemental funding from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. Additional funding sources may include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, grants from other agencies or partners, and local capital fund dollars. The kick off of the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project follows RFQ postings for rebuilding the French Broad Riverfront, repairs to the Municipal Golf Course, and a project to improve water treatment plants. Alongside these relatively complex projects, smaller repairs are being made to other City-owned parks, streets, and facilities. Active examples include roof repairs to the Municipal Building and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and an assessment of Historic Biltmore Village street lights damaged by the storm. 

In conjunction with storm recovery efforts, the City continues to advance its Capital Improvement Plan as well as bond projects. The integration of these initiatives ensures a coordinated effort to strengthen Asheville’s infrastructure and economic stability.

For more information on storm recovery in Asheville, visit ashevillerecovers.org.